Looking for Watchmakers of Runcorn
watchman
I am researching for a book on Watchmakers of Runcorn, Cheshire. I have found 35 listed in Trade Directories, some from Runcorn, some from other parts of the country. The people that I am trying to find information about are;
I & I E Anderson, who had a shop in Regent Street during the 1960s.
James Broyden Bankes, born 1833 died 1891, originally from Bunbury in Cheshire, he had a shop in High Street.
H W Benson & Co, possibly from Liverpool, had a shop in Greenway Road 1890/92.
Thomas Samuel Carr, born 1840 died 1908, had a shop in Regent Street.
Henry Crowe, son of Liverpool watchmaker John Crowe, had a shop in Ashridge Street 1891/96. Moved to Seaforth around 1897.
John Cooke, had a shop in Runcorn but the whereabouts are unknown. He died on 4 November 1817.
Evan Davies, born in 1815 in Henllan, Denbighshire, had a shop in Brunswick Street 1850/60, moved to Church St 1861. Moved to Darwen in Lancashire around 1881.
Edward Deakin, possibly lived in Latchford, Warrington. Had a shop in Church St, 1914/23.
Samuel Ellam, had a shop in High St in 1834.
Thomas Ellam, born in Coxhill, Cheshire in 1813 died in 1889. Had a shop in Church St in 1834, and later in High St 1841/44. Moved to Tarvin in Cheshire around 1861.
William Elvidge a clock maker and bell hanger from Paddington Middlesex (1871 census, which has him born in 1835). Or Ware in Herts according to the 1881 census, which has him born in 1841. Had a shop in Church St in 1888.
George Adam Green, born 1843 in Liverpool, had a shop in Blantyre St in 1876.
John Handley, born 1797 died 1867. First listed in 1822 till 1865, had a shop in Bridge St.
John William Hughes, born 1877 died 1917. Had a shop in Regent St 1910/14.
Andrew Humphreys, born in Oakmere in Cheshire in 1820 possibly died in Ruthin in 1885. Had a shop in High St, from 1844/57. Moved to Wales in 1861.
Thomas Hall, listed as a watchmaker in Runcorn in 1818.
Joseph Harris & Sons, listed as a watchmaker in High St from 1903/14.
Thomas G Hastings, listed as watchmaker in Greenway Rd 1937 possibly till 1960s.
J R Holt & Sons, listed as having a shop in Regent St from 1934/56.
William Jackson, whereabouts of shop unknown, listed from 1824/30.
John Jackson, listed as having shop in Church St in 1855.
William T Lawton, born 1881, listed as having shop in Regent St from 1902/10.
Emil Mayben, listed as having shop in Church St in 1871.
Ernest Millington, listed as having shop in Regent St in 1910.
George Moores, born 1865 in Runcorn, listed as having shop in Regent
St, 1888-1903.
Joseph Pritchard, born 1844 died 1899 had shop in Bridge St 1888, later moved to High St 1896, business continued by son Gilbert till 1935.
Thomas Pritchard, uncle of Joseph, born 1825 died 1886. Had shop in Bridge St 1850/83.
Henry Arthur Rhodes, born 1872 died 1934. Had shops in Bridge St, 1896, Greenway Rd 1903/10. Disappeared until 1928 when opened shop in Station Rd till his death in 1934.
J Rayner, listed as having shop in 1935 in Ivy St.
Thomas Smith, had a shop thats whereabouts are unknown, he died in 1797 and was married to a woman named Mary.
James Sutton, born 1844 died 1918. Had a shop in Church St 1883-1909.
Henry Stoll, born 1841 in Liverpool died 1878. Had shop in High St 1869/78.
Charles Richard Ward. born 1878 in Liverpool died 1955. Had shop in Church St in 1906, before moving to Regent St 1906/34.
Any information on these people would be appreciated, and I would be more than happy to share the information that I have on these individuals.
Comments
PFaulkner on 2010-11-05 05:45:13My family lived above Mr Holt's shop in Regent Street from about 1950-1953. I was 4 years old when we moved to Weston, so any memories I have may be suspect, but I am almost 100% sure he lived alone, whether he was widowed or unmarried I cannot say. He had some sort of relation who visited - maybe a daughter or niece, so possibly you might be able to find that trail. I was fascinated by his shop and he was very kind to me. I found your post when I 'googled' Holt watchmaker UK. A business associate builds clocks and we had an interesting discussion, and he brought up a picture of a late 1700's gear cutting engine- which I remembered as a piece of equipment in Mr Holt's shop. Funny how life works isn't it:-)? Also makes me wonder if all the Regent Street watchmakers you have listed were located in the same place, and maybe the tools were part of the sale of the store. Although Palmers jewelers were just a few doors further down Regent Street, which complicates that idea. Good luck with your search.
watchman on 2010-11-05 12:59:28Thanks for your reply. Mr Holt was a widower as he is listed in directories as J R Holt & Sons. It is strange that I can find out more information on 19th century makers, than I can on 20th century ones. What happened to the sons I have no idea.
All the Regent Street makers worked out of different shops, with only one using an old makers premises.Thomas Samuel Carr was at 45 in 1871, but also took over 37 as well in 1878. He moved to 47 in 1888 till his death in 1908.
George Moores was at number 9 from 1888 till 1903.
William Taylor Lawton was at number 2 from 1902-06.
Charles Richard Ward was at 26 from 1906-09, when in 1910 he moved into Carr's old shop at 47 until 1937
Ernest Millington was at number 19 in 1910.
John William Hughes was at number 33 from 1910-14.
And last but not least I have J R Holt & Sons listed from 1934-56.
All these dates are taken from Trade Directories, but as there are gaps in the years some of these dates will not be compleat.
I do have a watch & key made by Thomas Samuel Carr, as well as other watches by other makers not in Regent Street. I have just acquired a Long-case clock made by John Handley of Bridge Street.
Again thanks for your information, I would love a talk with your watch making associate, just on general things on watchmaking, if that would be possible.
Best regards
Peter Blackmore.